Choosing Your Baby’s Doctor

Congratulations on your expanding family! A new baby means lots of exciting new decisions to make, and choosing a primary care provider for your child is one the most important.

Our goal is to offer primary care services that are comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and individualized for you and your family.

Should you or your baby need specialized care before, during, or after delivery, you also have 24-hour access to every possible adult and pediatric specialists, including the most advanced Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Iowa – all under one roof.

Before Baby’s Arrival

It’s important to find a doctor that you feel comfortable with, which is why we offer free prenatal appointments. We recommend that you schedule this appointment late in your second trimester or early in the third trimester so you have an opportunity to meet and discuss your baby’s care before his or her arrival. During this appointment, we can discuss:

Any questions you may have about your baby, our doctors, or our office.

Newborn care in the hospital nursery and at home

Breastfeeding

Circumcision

Well-baby visits

Immunizations

Signs/symptoms of illness

In the Hospital

While you and your baby are in the hospital, a University of Iowa Children’s Hospital pediatrician will check on your infant regularly and answer any questions you may have.

Before going home, please make sure to schedule your baby’s first well-check. This should be within two to three days of baby’s birth.

Once You Are Home

Regular check-ups are important to monitor your child’s growth and development, which can help your doctor identify any problems early on. During well-child visits, your child may also receive immunizations, and it’s an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have. Regular well-child visits are scheduled at:

Types of Pediatric Providers

We take a team approach to your family’s health care, which means our team can include doctors, nurses, technologists, support staff, and others. We encourage you and your family to be active participants in your health and well-being, and consider you part of our team.

Pediatricians specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatricians are doctors who have completed medical school and an additional three-year training program (residency) focused on pediatric medicine from birth through age 21. Pediatricians provide a range of services from well-child care, to basic childhood illnesses, to specialized care for the most serious of diseases.

Family medicine doctors specialize in caring for the entire family, from birth through adulthood. Family medicine doctors have completed medical school and an additional three-year training program (residency), and are trained in all areas of medicine, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease during all stages of life.

Resident physicians are licensed medical doctors who have completed medical school and are undergoing further training in their chosen area of medicine. A resident works closely with a supervising doctor to provide patient care. Residency provides in-depth training and leads to eligibility for board certification in a particular area of medicine.

Physician assistants are health care professionals with advanced medical training who provide routine health maintenance checkups and manage certain minor, acute, and chronic health problems under a doctor's supervision. A physician assistant can serve as a patient’s regular health care provider and cares for patients of all ages.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced, specialized training which allows them to provide routine checkups and help manage certain minor, acute, and chronic health problems under a doctor's supervision. A nurse practitioner can serve as a patient’s regular health care provider and cares for patients of all ages.

Specialists are doctors who practice a specific type of medicine such as heart care, eye care, or surgical services. If your child needs specialty care, your primary care provider will connect you with one of their colleagues at UI Children’s Hospital, and will continue to follow your progress and coordinate your care.